"Do not be conformed
to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Romans 12:2
Men of the world form
their opinions of the gospel, from what they observe in its professors. There
is nothing more dangerous and injurious, than when professors of religion conform to the world so far that no clear distinction can be observed between them and the
worldling.
It is sometimes alleged by professors who thus accommodate themselves to the fashions and amusements of the world, that they hope by this means to render religion attractive. But this is a weak pretext, for such conformity always tends to confirm the ungodly in their carelessness. When they see professors at the theater, or in the ballroom, their conclusion is that there is no reality in Christianity.
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
It is sometimes alleged by professors who thus accommodate themselves to the fashions and amusements of the world, that they hope by this means to render religion attractive. But this is a weak pretext, for such conformity always tends to confirm the ungodly in their carelessness. When they see professors at the theater, or in the ballroom, their conclusion is that there is no reality in Christianity.
"Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." 2 Corinthians 6:17-18
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This is the
first day of the 2015 fall season. Variety is suppose to be the "spice of
life." We like seasons of the year, Fall-Winter-Spring-Summer because it
gives us variety in temperature, BUT our Christian discipleship must be
consistent-immovable, transformed to God not conforming to the world.
Most
churches are "drying up" because Christian's have not been converted
to a transformed life. We do not want to be different, preferring to conform to
the world around us.
This past
week I heard a pastor state that he had not been wearing a neck tie to church.
One of my friends who attends one these large mega churches told me that these
mega congregations grow so fast because "anything goes"... you can go
to church dressed just anyway-flip flops, shorts, etc. There is no membership, no
rules of faith and practices, no emphasis on offerings.
God wants Christians
to be a peculiar people, His ambassadors. This world traveler always found that
"strangers and foreigners" (1 Peter 2:11) were always different because
their habits, language, clothing, was different. When this old-blind veteran was
young and even to this very day, in going to Sunday school or church, we wore our
Sunday best. Don't embarrass my blessed Lord, especially at the church house, present
to others the best version of yourself. Be proud to be a Christian in everything.
Don't be afraid to be different. The child of God IS different. "Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."
(1 Corinthians 10:31)
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